Multi-Mode Receivers (MMR)

As worldwide standards migrate from terrestrial-based navigation aids to satellite-based systems, worldwide interoperability is becoming a growing issue, impacting civilian and military operators

Instrument landing system (ILS) is experiencing airspace and frequency saturation, and is subject to the international civil aviation organization’s FM-immunity restrictions.

An extended transition period to the microwave landing system (MLS) and global positioning system (GPS) landing system (GLS).

Each world region will transition to either MLS or GLS, or both, resulting in a mix of landing aids. This transition presents a challenge for operators requiring true global interoperability. BAE Systems' answer is a family of multimode receivers (MMRs).

BAE Systems' MMR represents the ideal host for the GPS functionality needed to address future communication navigation surveillance and air traffic management required for navigation performance compliance. BAE Systems continues to support the joint precision approach and landing system (JPALS) program, which will extend local area augmentation system capability to military operators in need of precision landing guidance in hostile operating scenarios.

With this open-system approach, the BAE Systems MMR line is positioned to meet any combination of landing, global positioning system (GPS), or very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation modes.

MLR-2050

BAE Systems flew the first ILS, MLS, and GLS MMR in 1995 for the U.S. Air Force. Interoperability has already been proven with GLS and TRN-45 mobile MLS ground stations, as well as ILS and VOR stations around the world. As other suppliers are far from a complete MMR, the MLR-2050 already contains an FM-immune, or protected ILS, VOR, MLS, VDL, and P(Y) code all-in-view GPS receiver. The system is capable of providing 100 percent backward compatibility to the ARN-108, -112, and -147 ILS and VOR receivers. A successful flight test in GLS mode, using the built-in C-band data link, demonstrated an optional capability for Europe.

The MLR-2050 is currently operational on the USAF C-17 Globemaster fleet, flying ILS CAT II and MLS CAT II approaches, and reflecting operational reliability of more than 20,000 hours.